A century-old Oregon food processor has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine for multiple violations of the federal Clean Air Act.
Smith Frozen Foods, or Weston, did not ensure that its equipment was being safely operated, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in announcing the fine.
Company president Gary Crowder did not immediately respond to an interview request.
The family-owned Smith Frozen Foods was started in 1919. It now produces more than 130 million pounds of frozen products per year, including peas, corn, carrots and lima beans.
Company owner Gordon Smith, a Republican, represented Oregon in the U.S. Senate from 1997 to 2009. Smith, 70, served as president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters from 2009 through 2021.
During inspections conducted in 2016, the EPA found that the company failed to maintain and implement its required risk management plan when using and storing anhydrous ammonia, according to the agreement. The chemical can lead to serious lung damage and even death when not handled safely.
“Facilities that use hazardous materials like anhydrous ammonia have an obligation to follow regulations designed to protect our communities and environment from potentially catastrophic consequences of accidents,” Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said in a news release.
“Failure to comply with the law puts first responders and members of the surrounding community in harm’s way,” he said.
The company did not have written operating procedures for certain equipment, and had failed to provide initial and refresher equipment training to employees, inspectors found.
It also had not performed inspections and tests on the equipment at the required frequency and following standard good practices.
And it hired contractors to perform maintenance and repair work on the ammonia refrigeration process, but did not obtain and evaluate information regarding each contractor’s safety performance and programs, as required.
The company paid the fine without admitting or denying the allegations.
Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at@Tracy_Loew